St. Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on the 17 March, 460 A.D. This is why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day on the seventeenth of March. St. Patrick isthe patron saint of Ireland.

The most interesting facts about St. Patrick are that:
He wasn't born in Ireland but in Britain.
He was captured and spent part of his teen years as a slave in Ireland.
The name Patrick wasn't the name he was born with but given to him much later in life by Pope Celestine.
It is said that St. Patrick's real name is Maewyn Succat.

St. Patrick was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland, in the year 387.In his sixteenth year, Patrick was carried off into captivity by Irish marauders and was sold as a slave to a chieftain named Milchu in Dalaradia, a territory of the present county of Antrim in Ireland, where for six years he tended his master's sheep flocks. He acquired a perfect knowledge of the Celtic tongue.

After six years he fled from his cruel master.He found a ship ready to set sail and after some rebuffs was allowed on board. In a few days he was among his friends once more in Britain. Patrick placed himself under the guidance of a bishop, St. Germain. A few years later Patrick was promoted to the priesthood. He engaged in various missionary works.

He stayed in Britain for eighteen years.During those years, Patrick's thoughts turned towards Ireland. He would often speak of his experiences in Ireland with his mentor St. Germain, Bishop of Auxerre. The bishop recommended Patrick to the pope and traveled to Rome. It was only shortly before his death that Pope Celestine entrusted Patrick with the mission of bringing Christianity to Ireland and on that occasion bestowed on him many relics and other spiritual gifts, and gave him the name "Patercius" or "Patritius".

He was able to easily spread the word of Christianity because of his knowledge of the Celtic language. It took him several years to destroy paganism in Ireland. He conquered one kingdom after another. He survived several death threats.

The greatest legend of St. Patrick is the use of the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. Another legend is that he banished all snakes from Ireland. St. Patrick continued until his death to visit and watch over the churches which he had founded in all the provinces in Ireland. Despite a constant threat to his life, Patrick traveled widely, baptizing, confirming, and preaching and building churches, schools, and monasteries.

St. Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on the 17 March, 460 A.D.